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7 



SERMON, 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL 



AMONG 



THE INDIANS AND OTHERS IN NORTH AMERICA, 



AT 



THEIR ANNIVERSARY, 



NOVEMBER 7, 1811. 



BY JAMES KENDALL, A. M. 

MINISTER OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN PLYMOUTH. 



-° 4C ^- „..,,ryofC- 

BOSTON: f< 
PRINTED BY JOHN ELldV;\T 
1812. 






AT A MEETING OP THE SOCIETY NOV. 7, 1811. 

Voted, That the President, Dr. Lathrop, and Dr. Eliot, be 
a committee, to present the thanks of the Society to the Rev. Mr. 
Kendall for his Sermon, delivered before them this day, and 
to request a copy of it for the press. 

A. Holmes, Secretary. 



SERMON. 

ACTS. xiii. 47. 

THE LORD HATH COMMANDED US, SAYING, I HAVE SET THEE TO 
BE A LIGHT OF THE GENTILES, THAT THOU SHOULDEST BE 
FOR SALVATION UNTO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. 

THE first commission, which the Apostles receiv- 
ed from their divine Master, required them to " go 
" not into the way of the Gentiles ;" but to " go rather 
" to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."* Hence 
the preaching of repentance and remission of sins in 
Christ's name began at Jerusalem. And in the histo- 
ry of the Acts we often find these ministers of the ho- 
ly Jesus in the synagogues of the Jews, preaching the 
kingdom of God. The context relates the conduct 
of Paul and Barnabas in this respect, and gives a par- 
ticular account of the treatment they received from the 
Jews at Antioch. Being in the synagogue on the sab- 
bath day, they were requested by the rulers, after 
the reading of the law and- the prophets, to give a 
word of exhortation to the people. St. Paul improves 
the opportunity by applying what had been read from 
the scriptures to the character and mission of the Son 
of God. He addresses himself particularly to the men 
of Israel, " children of the stock of Abraham, saying, 
" To you is the word of this salvation sent." After re- 

* Matthew x. 5. 6. 



4 

lating the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ at Je- 
rusalem/conformable to the predictions of their own 
prophets, he adds ; " Be it known unto you, therefore, 
" men and brethren, that through this man is preached 
" unto you the forgiveness of sins ; and by him all 
" that believe are justified from all things, from which 
" they could not be justified by the law of Moses." 
The Apostle admonishes them of the importance of . 
accepting the offered grace, and cautions them to " be- 
" ware lest that come upon them, which was spoken 
" of in the prophets ; Behold, ye despisers, and won- 
" der, and perish." 

Gentiles as well, as Jews, were assembled at this 
time in the synagogue at Antioch, who besought the 
Apostles to preach these words unto them the next 
sabbath. On this occasion, " there came almost the 
" whole city together to hear the w r ord of God." This 
uncommon attention and respect shewn the Apostles 
excited the indignation of the Jews ; and " when they 
" saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and 
" spake against those things, which w T ere spoken by 
" Paul, contradicting and blaspheming." The Apos- 
tles, neither discouraged nor disheartened by this abuse 
from their own countrymen, " waxed bold, and said ; 
" It was necessarv, that the word of God should first 
"have been spoken unto you ; but seeing ye put it 
" from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of ever- 
lasting lift, io, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES." 

By resisting the Holy Ghost, by putting the word 
of life from them, by persecuting the ambassadors of 



the Prince of peace, and by rejecting all the overtures 
of mercy, that were offered them, these unbelieving 
Jews frustrated the grace of God with respect to them- 
selves, and forfeited the mercy, which they were en- 
treated to accept. It was their own blindness and ob- 
stinacy, and not the arbitrary appointment of heaven, 
that rendered them so averse to the gospel, and pre- 
vented their complying with the terms of reconciliation, 
which it revealed. After witnessing the obstinate un- 
belief of their own countrymen, no wonder these Apos- 
tles turned to the Gentiles, who appeared better dis- 
posed towards the gospel, more deeply concerned for 
their own immortal welfare, and resolutely determined 
by the grace of God, on the pursuit and enjoyment of 
everlasting life.* This favourable disposition in the 
Gentiles towards the gospel concurred with the origin- 
al design and intent of this gracious dispensation ; and 
also with the express command of Christ after his re- 
surrection. This heavenly light was not to be confi- 
ned to a single nation ; but was gradually to extend its 
beams over the whole earth. The last command of 
our risen Lord and Master required the Apostles to 
" go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every 
" creature ; to teach all nations, baptizing them in the 
" name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
" Ghost : to carry the glad tidings unto the uttermost 
" pai i of the earth, that all flesh might see and rejoice 
" in the Salvation of God." 

* See Doddridge's Exposition, and note on the 48th. verse. 



But the apostles on this occasion point the Jews to 
their own scriptures for their authority, and prove from 
them, that they were fulfilling the predictions of their 
own prophets, while they were proclaiming glad tidings 
to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded 
us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of 
the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for 
Salvation unto the ends of the earth. 
These words were first delivered by the prophet, Isaiah, 
with express reference to the Messiah. " It is a light 
" thing, that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up 
" the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of 
"Israel. I will also give thee for a light 
" to the Gentiles ; that thou mayest be 
"my Salvation unto the ends of the 
"earth."* The message, which this inspired 
prophet, in the name of the most high God, ad- 
dresses to the Messiah, the Apostles apply to them- 
selves, as the ministers and servants of Jesus Christ. 
What was prophecy with respect to Him, was a sol- 
emn charge to them. The Apostles considered the 
command as extending to them, and as requiring them 
to be the instruments of light and Salvation to the 
Gentiles — even unto the ends of the earth. Christ 
was the true Light, and the Apostles were the lesser 
lights, revolving about the Sun of righteousness, re- 
ceiving his rays, and reflecting the brightness of his 
glory upon " them, that sat in darkness, and in the 
" regions of the shadow of death." 
* Isaiah xlix. 6. 



Having shewn the occasion and circumstances, 
which led to the declaration in the text ; I shall pro- 
ceed to consider, 

First, The original design and intent of the gospel 
dispensation, particularly with reference to the Gen- 
tile world. 

Secondly ; The instruments and means, by which it 
is to be propagated. And, 

Thirdly ; The motives to encourage and to animate 
christians in this service of their divine Master. 

The first thing, suggested by the text for conside- 
ration, is the original design of the gospel, with re- 
spect to the Gentile world. I have set thee for 

A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, &C. 

Nothing can be more manifest, than that Christiani- 
ty was designed by its benevolent Founder to be the 
medium of light, instruction, and Salvation to all na- 
tions. This truth runs through the bible, and is the 
Alpha and Omega of the book of life. Abraham, the 
father of the faithful, rejoiced to hear this truth, and he 
heard it, and was glad. " For the scripture, foreseeing 
" that God would justify the heathen through faith, 
"" preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, 
" In thee shall all nations be blessed."* The pious 
patriarch believed the promise ages before its accom- 
plishment, and it was counted to him for righteous- 
ness. He saw in vision the Light, that should light- 
en the Gentiles as well, as be the glory of the people 
of Israel. He beheld in prospect the day, when the 

* Galatians, iii. 8. 



8 

blessing, like the beams of the sun, should extend to 
all the families of the earth. In the second Psalm, 
which evidently refers to the Person and kingdom of 
the Messiah, we hear him declaring, in these memo- 
rable wot ds, his relation to his Father, and the extent 
of his dominions : " The Lord hath said unto me, 
" Thou art my Son ; this day have I begotten thee. 
" Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for 
" thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth 
" for thy possession." Corresponding with this decla- 
ration are numerous passages in the prophecies. 
Isaiah, who seems to have been transported into fu- 
turity, and to have beheld things to come, as though 
they were past, contemplating the progress and extent 
of the Redeemer's kingdom, and the glorious effects 
of the gospel upon a dark and benighted world, breaks 
out in the language of an evangelist rather, than a 
prophet, saying ; " The people that walked in dark- 
" ness have seen a great light ; they that dwell in the 
" land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the 
" light shined."* There is no doubt an allusion here 
to the benefits which the heathen world would derive 
from the gospel, and the joy, that would result to all 
nations from the birth and kingdom of the Messiah. 
And they, who have lived in these last days, have al- 
ready witnessed the accomplishment of this prophecy. 
They have seen the " Gentiles come to his light, and 
kings to the brightness of his rising, "f Under the 
mild and cheering influence of the Sun of righteous- 

* Isaiah ix. 2. f Isaiah lx. 3. 



9 

ness, they have seen in a moral view the wilderness 
and the solitary place gladdened, and the desert re- 
joice and blossom as the rose."* Our Saviour fre- 
quently spoke of the benevolent purpose, for which he 
came into the world, and of the prog ess and extent 
of his kingdom. In order to convince the Jews, 
that they alone were not die spiritual seed of Abra- 
ham ; that other nations and other people were the ob- 
jects of divine mercy, and would become heirs of the 
grace of life, he assures them, that "they shall come 
" from the East, and from the West, from the North, 
"and from the South, and shall sit down with Abra- 
" ham, and with Isaac, and with Jacob, in the king- 
c ( dom of God. While the children of the kingdom, 
" the natural descendants of Abraham, for their unbe- 
" lief, shall be cast out into outer darkness."! 

But the benevolent design of this dispensation of 
grace, seems more clearly expressed in the commis- 
sion, which our Saviour gave to his disciples after his 
resurrection. In order to sanction the heavenly mis- 
sion, he points them to his divine authority, saying, 
" All power is given unto me in heaven and earth, 
" Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations — Go into all 
u the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 
" He that belie veth, and is baptized, shall be saved ; 
" but he that belie veth not shall be damned. — And ye 
" shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and 

* Isaiah xxxv. 1. f Matthew viii. 11,12. Luke xiii, 28 > 29. 

9 



10 

"in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost 
"part of the earth."* 

Saint Paul was not, indeed, present, when this 
charge was delivered. But after his conversion he 
was specially commissioned, and sent to the Gentiles, 
" to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness 
" to light, and from the power of Satan unto God."f 
So confident was he of the design and purpose of his 
heavenly mission, and so fully persuaded, that the hea- 
then world were to become heirs of the grace of life, 
that with all boldness he declared unto the Jews, " that 
" the Salvation of God was sent unto the Gentiles, and 
u that they would hear it."} This Apostle was a cho- 
sen vessel to bear Christ's name among the Gentiles. 
He was set as a light to them ; and through his instru- 
mentality, by the force of his reasoning, and the power 
of his eloquence, " He who commanded the light to 
" shine out of darkness, hath shined into their hearts* 
" and given them the light of the knowledge of the 
" glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. "§ 

By the vision of Peter, and the account of his visit 
to Cornelius, we further learn, that it was the design 
of heaven by the gospel to send the knowledge of Sal- 
vation to the Gentiles. This Apostle was prejudiced 
in favour of the Jewish nation. Notwithstanding the 
nature of his instructions, which he had just received 
from his divine Master, he still thought, that the mer- 
cy of God could not reach beyond his own country - 

* Matthew xxviii. 18, 19. Mark xvi. 15, 16. Actsi. 8. 
i Acts xxvi. 18. % Acts xxviii. 28. § 2 Cor. iv. 6. 



11 

men ; that all besides were doomed to perpetual dark- 
nebs and defilement, and unfit for the service or enjoy- 
ment of heaven. And it required a miracle to con- 
vince him, that the spirit of the Lord was not straiten- 
ed ; that what He had cleansed was neither common, 
nor unclean ; that incense might ascend to heaven even 
from among the altars of paganism ; that prayers and 
alms were found, and accepted, where there was nei- 
ther priest nor Levite ; that " God, of a truth, is no 
" respecter of persons ; but in every nation he, that 
" feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted 
"with him."* Although the piety and charity of 
Cornelius were not the meritorious ground of his jus- 
tification before God, they were the means of prepar- 
ing his mind for increasing light, and of bringing nim 
to the knowledge of the way of Salvation by a Re- 
deemer. After this interesting scene, the Apostle 
could not doubt any more, than his brethren, the Jews, 
that *' God also to the Gentiles had granted repentance 
unto iife."t 

Not less to our purpose is the vision of St. John, 
in his old age, on the island of Patmos. Among other 
important things, that were communicated to this ven- 
erable Apostle and prophet, he was permitted to hear, 
and see, the number of the servants of God, who were 
sealed. Besides the hundred and forty and four thou- 
sand, of all the tribes of the children of Israel ; he "be- 
" held, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could 
" number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, 

* x\x;sx. f Acts. xi. 13. 



12 

"and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the 
" Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their 
" hands ; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salva- 
u tion to our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and 
" unto the Lamb."* This sublime vision represents 
the extent of the gospel, and the increase of the chris- 
tian church among all nations, and inspires the hope, 
that it will one day become the medium of light and 
Salvation unto the ends of the earth. It intimates fur- 
ther, that all, who are saved, of whatever nation, or peo- 
ple, or language, will be saved only through the mer- 
its and efficacy of Christ's atonement and mediation. 
That is, they will ascribe their Salvation both to Him, 
who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. If 
Christ made propitiation for the sins of the whole 
world, it is an evidence, that the whole world were 
guilty, and needed such a sacrifice. I do not mean 
to suggest, that none can be saved, who have nev- 
er enjoyed the advantages of an external revelation, 
nor seen the light of the gospel, nor heard of the 
name of Jesus. I believe there may be the spirit of 
faith, where the object of it is not seen, and where 
the voice is not heard, f I could sooner indulge the 
hope, that the wretched, deluded victims of Jugger- 
naut, " who know not what they do," were the objects 
of divine commiseration and forgiveness, than believe, 
that God had doomed to everlasting perdition all, who 
have never heard of Christ, and for not believing in 
him, of whom they have not heard. And is there no 

* Rev. vii. 9. 10. f Note A. 



13 

foundation for this preference, but in the sympathy of 
the speaker ? Will it be deemed unchristian to ask, 
whether that compassionate Saviour, who so often 
wept over the blindness, the obstinacy, the infatuation 
of his guilty countrymen, to whom he repeatedly of- 
fered the message of reconciliation, and who as often 
rejected it ; who so earnestly desired and affectionately 
intreated them to take refuge under the wings of his 
grace ; who employed his last breath in interceding 
for mercy for his murderers, wafting to heaven an 
apology for the crime, " Father, forgive them ; for 
"they know not what they do ;" — Will this Jesus feel 
less pity, can he rind no apology, will he offer no inter- 
cession, for the poor, infatuated pilgrim, who, conscious 
that some sacrifice must be made for his sins, and see- 
ing no Lamb in the thicket, devotes his own life, be- 
cause he has nothing dearer, to appease the wrath of 
heaven — leaving his bones to whiten upon the plains 
as a monument of his delusion, and to excite the pity 
of the christian ?* iUthough this ignorance should 
not be winked at, sure I am, that the subject of it is 
less criminal, and will be beaten with fewer stripes, 
than those pretended christians, who make a traffick of 
this pilgrimage, and who, like the vultures, fatten upon 
the victims of this delusion. f 

A righteous and merciful God will, undoubtedly, 
make a discrimination between that error and delusion, 
which are the consequence of having wilfully rejected 
the light, and such as result from the circumstance of 

* Note B. t Note C. 



14 

having been born, where there is no light. It will at 
least be more tolerable for the latter in the day of 
judgment than the former. And if a meek, humble, 
and contrite heart be found under cover of this delu- 
sion, are we not authorized to hope, that a place will 
be provided for it, through the mercy of God, in some 
one of the many mansions of bliss. The qualifica- 
tions for the kingdom of God among nations, who 
have never enjoyed the benefit of revelation, consist, 
no doubt, in an improvement of the best means, which 
heaven has granted, and in a disposition to receive and 
improve whatever further light God may be pleased to 
bestow ; rather than in the actual exercise of faith in a 
religion, or in doctrines, which were never revealed. 
But those virtuous heathen, who, by improving well 
the talent, that has been given them, shall add to the 
innumerable multitude, who will stand before the 
throne, will then learn, if not before, that even their 
Salvation must be ascribed to the merits and mediation 
of the Son of God ; and will join in the new song, 
saying, Thou art worthy ; tor thou wast 

SLAIN, AND HAST REDEEMED US TO GoD BY 
THY BLOOD. 

When we consider the darkness, the ignorance, 
the error, and sin, in which the heathen world are 
generally involved, and the superior advantages, which 
they enjoy, who live under the light of the gospel, for 
improvement, for comfort, and happiness in this world, 
and for laying a foundation, by purer faith and more 
perfect holiness, for everlasting life and happiness in 



15 

the world to come; the few examples of virtue and 
piety, that may be found amidst the darkness of pagan- 
ism, will not be urged as a reason, why we should feel 
no concern, and take no pains, to furnish them with 
the means of better light, a purer faith, and a sublimer 
worship. 

Secondly. I am to consider the instruments and 
means by which the gospel is to be propagated. 

In the first age of Christianity the Apostles were ap- 
pointed, and commissioned by their divine Master, 
and qualified by the miraculous gifts of the Holy 
Ghost, to propagate the kingdom of God, and carry 
the glad tidings of Salvation to all nations. They were 
set as a light to the Gentiles. And by bearing on their 
lips the message of reconciliation ; by planting and 
watering the incorruptible seed ; by establishing and 
building up the church of our Lord among many na- 
tions ; and, above all, by leaving on record the words 
of eternal life, they have become the instruments of 
Salvation unto the ends of the earth. The world is 
now reaping the fruit of their labours, and rejoicing 
in their light. They had the greatest difficulties to 
surmount, the most violent opposition to contend 
with. The heathen raged, and the people imagined a 
vain thing. Kings of the earth and rulers leagued to- 
gether, and marshalled themselves against the Lord 
and against his anointed, to impede the progress, and 
to destroy the influence of the Redeemer's kingdom. 
The prejudices of the Jews, and the ignorance and 
idolatry of the Gentiles, were to be subdued ; and a 



16 

religion, then new in every part of the world, to be in- 
troduced, and established in their place. Well might 
this little band of christian heroes, in view of :hese 
di /lenities, and in the commencement of their warfare, 
exclaim, " Who is sufficient for these things V Al- 
mighty Grace was sufficient for them. And, under 
the standard of the Captain of their Salvation, and clad 
in the armour of God, they advanced to the conflict ; 
and " came off more than conquerors, through him 
" who hath loved us, and given himself for us.'" The 
rapid progress of the gospel, during the few years of 
their ministry, notwithstanding the violent opposi- 
tion it had to encounter, was itself a miracle, and 
among the strongest evidences of its divinity. The 
work was manifestly of God, and could not be over- 
thrown. The principal mean by which they promo- 
ted the cause, in which they were engaged, was 
preaching the gospel. This was ".the weapon of 
" their warfare ;" and it was " mighty through God 
" to the pulling down of strong holds."* They 
" kept back nothing that was profitable ; but taught 
" publickly and from house to house, testifying both 
" to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance to- 
" ward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 
" Bonds and afflictions awaited them ; but none of 
" these things moved them ; neither counted they life 
" dear unto themselves, so that they might finish their 
" course with joy, and the ministry they received of the 
" Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God." f 

* 2 Corinthians x. 4. f Acts xx. 20. 



17 

Since the days of the apostles miracles have ceased ; 
bin the evidence of their truth and reality is not lost. 
The hoiy scriptures, which contain the words of eter- 
nal life, and which are the channel of divine communi- 
cation between heaven and the hearts of men, are still 
preserved ; and a written and preached gospel is now 
the medium of light and Salvation to the world. In- 
stead of the miraculous gifts of the spirit, which ena- 
bled the apostles without previous preparation to ad- 
dress every nation in their own language, the ministers 
of Jesus Christ must be qualified and endowed by 
more ordinary means. They must study, in or- 
der to be learned ; and must be learned, and give 
themselves to meditation and prayer, in order to be 
mighty in the scriptures ; and must be mighty in the 
scriptures, in order to be witnesses to the truth ; and 
must be witnesses to the truth, in order to be the light 
of the world. 

Besides a well educated and regularly established 
ministry to water, where others have planted; to 
build upon a foundation, which others have laid ; " to 
" raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the pre- 
" served of Israel ;" there must be a light also to the 
Gentiles. There must be messengers of Salvation 
unto the ends of the earth. But before these messen- 
gers can give light to others, they must first be en- 
lightened themselves. Nothing can be more errone- 
ous, than the opinion, that an ignorant, illiterate mis- 
sionary is a proper instrument for converting the Gen- 
tiles, or preaching the gospel to the poor. In order 



18 

to be successful they must be men of intelligence and 
pietv, of prudence and perseverance, of meekness and 
fortitude, that they may endure hardness as good 
soldiers of Jesus Christ. Not novices ; but men of 
talents and information, that they may be able also to 
teach others* 

But it is said, the apostles were ignorant, that they 
were illiterate, that they were fishermen ; but were 
nevertheless commissioned, and sent, to preach the 
gospel to all the world. They were indeed commis- 
sioned, and sent on this heavenly errand. But not 
until they had spent several years under the immediate 
instruction of their divine Master. Not until their 
minds were miraculously endowed with the gifts of 
the Holy Spirit. So far from being sent, they were 
expressly forbidden to depart, and commanded to 
wait, until they were thus qualified.* St. Paul, 
though not called, until after this period, to be an 
Apostle, was nevertheless " not a whit behind the 
" very chiefest" of them.f He was a chosen vessel to 
bear Christ's name among the Gentiles. And was he 
unlearned in the wisdom of this world ? Was he desti- 
tute of human knowledge, or of human attainments ? 
Was he ignorant of the manners, the customs, and the 
habits of mankind, especially of the nations where he 
preached the gospel ? No ; he was brought up at the 
feet of Gamaliel, one of the profoundest teachers of 
the age. And such was his fame as a scholar, such 
the display of his talents, that he drew from a Roman 

* Acts i. 4, f 2 Corinthians xi. 5. 



19 

Governor the confession, that he had " much learn- 
ing."* Besides his attainments in human knowledge, 
his mind was enriched with the truths, and his heart 
sanctified by the spirit of the gospel. It was probably 
on account of superior abilities and more extensive eru- 
dition, that he was selected from among his brethren, 
as the chief instrument to enlighten the Gentiles, 
and pull down the strong holds of pagan idolatry and 
superstition. 

I press this idea, my brethren, because I consider 
the want of success in the missionary societies in this 
country, and the consequent objection, that has been 
raised against this mode of instruction, owing princi- 
pally to want of talents, or character, or both, in too 
great a proportion of those, who have been employed 
in the service of these societies. I do not mean to in- 
sinuate, that a man cannot be a christian without being 
a scholar. But every good man is not fit for a teach- 
er. Neither would I suggest, that a man, to be quali- 
fied for a missionary, must necessarily be acquainted 
with the whole circle of the arts and sciences. But he 
ought not surely to be without talents, nor without 
information, nor without some learning in his own 
profession. Much less ought he to be without char- 
racter, destitute of the temper, and unadorned with 
the virtues and graces of that gospel, which he pre- 
tends to propagate. It has been found by experiment, 
that when men of abilities and piety, and unblemished 
moral character, whose sole object has been to make 

* Acts xxvi. 24. 



20 

those, to whom they were sent, wiser, and better, and 
happier, through the instrumentality of a preached gos- 
pel, instead of proselyting them to a sect or a part} , — 
when such men have been employed in the service of 
missionary societies, success has generally, if not al- 
ways, attended their labours ; and those societies, who 
have been so wise, and so fortunate, as to empioy 
them, have had no Occasion to regret the pains or ex- 
pense of doing it. I would not be understood to in- 
timate, that missionary societies are chargeable with 
knowingly sending out missionaries of the opposite 
character. But have they not sometimes been de- 
ceived ? And have they always taken as much pains, 
as they ought, to be undeceived ? Have we not on 
some occasions been influenced more from commise- 
ration to the personal wants of the missionaries, than 
from any sanguine hope of benefitting the people 
among whom they were sent. If they be objects of 
charity, let us bestow charity upon them. But when 
we send lights to the Gentiles, let us send " burning 
" and shining lights ;" that they, who walk in dark- 
ness, may discover the path, in which they should go ; 
and, by following it, may be guided to the Father of 
lights. 

Another cause, which has often rendered the la- 
bours of our missionaries unsuccessful, has been an 
attempt to extend their labours over too much terri- 
tory. Instead of being a light set, they have been 
wandering stars ; and, by trying to ditfuse their rays 
over too much space, they have produced neither 



21 

light nor heat. Experience has shewn, that, in order 
to be useful, missionaries must be in some respects 
stationary ; and to produce the greatest effect the rays 
of light must be concentrated, and shine with a clear, 
steady, uniform lustre. Itinerant preaching, especially 
with the character of a great proportion of those, who 
assume the name of itinerants, is of no service towards 
promoting the cause of pure Christianity. By the 
disorder, and confusion, and fanaticism, which mark 
their path, they demonstrate, that " they run before 
" they are sent;" or, at least, that they run without a 
commission from that " God," who " is not the author 
" of confusion ; but of peace and order as in all chur- 
" ches of the saints." By this irregularity they dis- 
honour the name, discredit the religion, and multiply 
the enemies of the holy Jesus. The novelty of their 
appearance, and the rapidity of their motion, may, like 
the Comet, attract the gaze, and for a while awaken 
the terror of the ignorant beholder. But on their de- 
parture the mind is not less in ignorance and dark- 
ness, than on their approach. Or, if, perchance, the 
more intelligent, and the better informed, should make 
observations, they will be found on inspection to be 
dark bodies, and all this blaze only the semblance of 
light. 

By itinerants I mean not to include such men as 
the intelligent, the pious, the brave Buchanan, whose 
sole object is to give light to the world ; and who by 
his indefatigable " Researches" has, more than any 
other man of the age, prepared a path for this light. 



22 

Neither would I include many respectable and pious 
missionaries, who, with as good intentions, and not 
without success, have laboured to propagate the gos- 
pel among the unenlightened parts of our own coun- 
try. But I mean those self-authorized preachers, 
who, as a cloak for their ignorance, and sometimes for 
their vices too, and to delude and deceive their unsus- 
pecting and too credulous hearers, pretend to receive 
their light and their credentials by a miracle directly 
from heaven. " By their fruits ye may know them." 
In order to have missionaries with proper charac- 
ter and qualifications, there must be missionary socie- 
ties and other institutions, whose benevolent and pious 
object is to propagate the gospel, to extend the know- 
ledge of the holy scriptures, to give light to the Gen- 
tiles, and to be the instruments of Salvation unto the 
ends of the earth. Such societies and institutions have 
proved an incalculable benefit to mankind. By con- 
centrating their energies, and by interesting themselves 
in the situation of that portion of their fellow creatures, 
who have not the means, if they have the disposition, 
of providing themselves with religious instruction, 
they have been enabled to furnish them with the Book 
of Life, to place before them christian teachers, and 
to receive in return a blessing from them, who were 
ready to perish. The benefit arising from these insti- 
tutions may be learnt from the means they have fur- 
nished for promoting christian knowledge and piety, 
and which have reached, not only to unenlightened 
portions of our own country ; but to the vast and ex- 



23 

tensive regions of the East. Thousands, who recent- 
ly sat in darkness, where was no light, but the dim 
light of nature, and even this little well nigh extin- 
guished through ignorance and superstition, have been 
visited by " the Day spring from on high," and are 
now cheered with the mild beams of "the Sun of 
" Righteousness." From the liberality and piety of 
christian institutions, they have seen, for the first time, 
" How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of 
" them, that preach the gospel of peace, and bring 
" glad tidings of good things."* 

The land of our Forefathers has. taken the lead 
in these institutions, and has contributed more, than 
all the world besides, to the propagation of the gos- 
pel, to give light to the Gentiles, and to send Sal- 
vation unto the ends of the earth. This benevolent 
and pious example begins to be imitated in America. 
The spirit of our Fathers, through whose instrumen- 
tality the light of the gospel first beamed upon this 
"western world, seems to be waking from its slumbers, 
and stirring up itself, to diffuse this light not only 
through those parts of our own country, where it has 
never been, or but sparingly, enjoyed ; but to reflect it 
back upon those regions, in Asia, where, though long- 
since in darkness, once stood the golden candlesticks, 
and where He, who holdeth the stars in his right hand, 
delighted to walk.f 

The Missionary and Bible Societies, which within 
a few years have been established, and multiplied with- 

* Rom. x. 15. f Rev. i. 



24 

out example in this country, are among the principal 
means of propagating the gospel, and thus extending 
the knowledge of the way of Salvation by a Redeemer. 
But there are other means and instruments besides 
the^e of extending the light and influence of the gospel. 
Every christian, who cultivates its principles in his 
own heart, who imbibes its spirit, and who portrays 
in his life its virtues and graces, promotes the cause of 
Christianity, and becomes a light to the world. Every 
head of a family, who gives his children and his house- 
hold a religious education, and brings them up in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord, extends the influ- 
ence of the gospel, and is himself a preacher of right- 
eousness. Every christian Society, whose united- 
prayers are unceasingly offered up for the advance- 
ment of Christ's kingdom, and who add alms to their 
prayers to furnish the means of light and Salvation to 
such as have no light, and no hope, are the agents of 
heaven, and labourers together with God, in strength- 
ening the walls of Zion, enlarging the borders of that 
kingdom, which is not of this world, and multiplying 
heirs of the grace of life. 

Thirdly. If your patience be not exhausted, I will 
briefly state in the last place some of the principal mo- 
tives, that may tend to encourage and animate chris- 
tians in their exertions to propagate the kingdom of 
God. 

One of these motives arises from a consideration of 
the original design of the gospel, particularly with re- 
spect to the Gentile world. If it were the design of 



25 

heaven, as was shewn in a former part of this dis- 
course, to extend this blessing to the Gentiles ; if holy 
men of old, who spoke as they were moved by the 
Holy Ghost, looked forward with joy and gladness to 
this interesting event ; if their predictions have been 
in the progress of accomplishment in every age of the 
christian church ; and if they now appear to be in rapid 
fulfilment ; we must believe, that it is still the purpose 
of heaven to extend the blessing ; that the work, which 
has been begun, will continue to be carried on, as it 
ever has been, through the instrumentality of human 
exertions, and by the agency of christians, until all the 
ends of the earth shall see the Salvation of God. The 
whole christian world are witnesses of the accomplish- 
ment of the ancient prophecies relating to the Gentiles ; 
and the progress of Christianity in all quarters of the 
globe, and the vast means in operation to extend a 
knowledge of the holy scriptures, declare them to be 
now in rapid fulfilment. And is the spirit of the Lord 
straitened ? Is his arm shortened, that he can no 
longer save ? Has the gracious promise, made to the 
heralds of light and Salvation, " Lo, I am with you al- 
" ways, even to the end of the world," been stayed ? 
Has it seen its completion ? Has it reached the end ? 
Surely not. Let us then, as christians, consider 
ourselves as the agents of heaven in propagating 
the gospel ; as messengers of light and Salvation to 
the Gentiles. Is it not an honourable, is it not a sub- 
lime employment to be associated with heaven in pro- 
moting a cause so much to the glory of God, so in- 



26 

teresting to the souls of men ? Will it not enhance 
the felicity of the mansions above, to be there recog- 
nized by those happy spirits, who have received the 
light of life through our instrumentality, and who will 
greet us as "the servants of the Most High God, who 
" shew unto them the way of Salvation ?" The voice of 
prophecy is still echoing from the volume of inspira- 
tion, and, as a part of the Gentile church, let us speed 
its accomplishment : " Enlarge the place of thy tent, 
" and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habita- 
" tions ; spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen 
" thy stakes ; for thou shalt break forth on the right 
" hand, and on the left ; and thy seed shall inherit the 
" Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhab- 
" ited. — For a small moment have I forsaken thee ; but 
" with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little 
" wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment ; but 
" with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, 
" saith the Lord thy Redeemer."* 

Another motive to stimulate the pious and the char- 
itable to exertion in propagating the gospel, and dif- 
fusing more extensively the light of life, may be drawn 
from a consideration of the ignorance, the darkness, 
and guilt, in which millions of our fellow creatures are 
yet involved, who were made of the same blood, and 
whose souls with ours are destined to immortality ; 
many of whom have never seen the light of the gospel ; 
and others enjoy but sparingly the means of religious 
instruction. For a particular view of the present state 

* Isaiah liv. 2, 3—7, 8. 



27 

of the heathen world, especially of the horrid super- 
stition and idolatry, that still prevail in the vast regions 
of the East, you are referred to the interesting " Re- 
" searches'' of the celebrated Dr. Buchanan. Whoever 
can peruse these sheets without commiseration, with- 
out pity, without a desire to do something to chase 
away this darkness, to arrest the progress of this de- 
lusion, and to send light and comfort to its miserable 
victims, must be destitute of common humanity ; much 
more of the sympathy of the christian. Will not a 
people, cannot a nation, whose sympathy is awakened, 
and whose liberality is cheerfully extended to the relief 
of their fellow citizens, whose dwellings have fallen a 
sacrifice to the flames, feel some pity for the infatuated 
mourner, stretched upon the Funeral Pile of her depar- 
ted Husband, and bestow some charity to rescue the 
life of the fairest of creation from the fire of Moloch ?* 
Shall christians feel less concern, or take less pains to 
pluck the souls, of their fellow sinners as brands from 
the burning, and provide them with the means of de- 
liverance from a " fire that cannot be quenched?" 

But the particular object of the Society, convened 
on this occasion, is to propagate the gospel among the 
Indians and others in North America. If it be our 
duty as individuals and as christians to provide for our- 
selves and our household ; it is unquestionably our 
duty as Societies and communities to provide for those 
of our own country and nation. And there are objects 
of commiseration and christian charity, scattered in 

* Kote D, 



28 

remnants through these western regions ; some of 
of whom have no light to their feet, and no lamp to 
their path. Others have no oil in their lamps, and no 
means of replenishing them. I am aware, it will be 
asked, whether the attempts to christianize the Indians 
have been attended with sufficient success to encou- 
rage a continuance of these exertions ? They, whosfe 
liberality is so often taxed for the support of mission- 
ary establishments, have a right to hope and expect 
some fruit from their charity. We can answer, that 
these attempts have not been without success ; and 
where missionary labours have been wisely and judi- 
ciously directed, and faithfully performed, the result 
has been such as to authorize the belief, that it is 
at least practicable to meliorate the condition, to con- 
vey some light to the mind, and inspire some hope 
even in the heart of a savage. When we witness 
their ignorance, their stupidity, and their vices, we 
sometimes may be ready to ask, with the despairing 
prophet, " Can these dry bones live?"* But by conti- 
nuing to prophesy, that is/ by repeating our instruc- 
tion with plainness, with patience, and with prayer, 
under the influence and blessing of the spirit of life, 
these dry bones may at length begin to move, and 
perhaps to shake, and by and by to be nerved with 
spiritual strength, and breathe a new and spiritual life. 
There is room, no doubt, for improvement in the 
system of missionary instruction among the Indians. 
But we must look to a christian, charitable publick to 

'■ : Ezekiel xxxvii. 2. 



29 

aid us even in this improvement. Some preparation 
of the mental soil is necessary as well, as of the natur- 
al, before the incorruptible seed will take root, or 
bring any fruit to perfection. The wise and expe- 
rienced husbandman does not cast the finest of the 
wheat among the trees of his forest, nor the shrubs of 
the wilderness. He first fells the trees, plucks out the 
roots and the stones, subdues the turf, and applies a 
seed best adapted to its rough state. When time, and 
labour, and industry have sufficiently mellowed the 
soil, he then casts in the choicest of the grain ; and, 
under the influence and blessing of heaven, gathers a 
harvest, some an hundred fold, some sixty, and some 
thirty. Something analagous to this must be the 
method of procedure with the rude mind of a savage, 
previous to his receiving to advantage the pure, refin- 
ed instruction of christian morality and piety. These 
tenants of the woods are wild men ; and they must be 
tamed, before they can be taught. They must be wed- 
ded, either from inclination or habit, to the axe, the 
plough, and the wheel, before they will submit to the 
moderation, the sobriety, the self-denial, and the pa- 
tience of the christian life. Experience has shewn, 
that the best success has attended religious instruction 
among this poor depressed people, where it has been 
preceded, or at least accompanied with some degree of 
civilization. The missionary should go to them in 
the double capacity of a teacher of youth, and a 
preacher of righteousness. He should plant himself 
by the side of his tawny pupil ; endeavour to do away 



30 

that jealousy, which is so natural to the Indian, but 
which is at enmity with the gospel ; and, after the ex- 
ample of his divine Master, should blend moral in- 
struction with a manifest interest and concern for his 
temporal welfare. In this way only can he gain his 
attention, secure his confidence, and win his heart. 
The faithful, pious labourer will not be discouraged 
nor disheartened by meeting, in the commencement 
of his work, with the wildness and rankness of uncul- 
tivated nature. When these are subdued by time, 
and patience, and industry, and grace, a fairer growth 
will spring up to reward his toils. And even amidst 
this wildness may he not hope in the progress of his 
labours and in his pastoral walks now and then to find 
the chaste and modest Violet, half concealed by the 
rankness, that surrounds it ; and which, but for his 
vigilance and care, might have been 

" Born to blush unseen, 
" And waste its fragrance on the desert air." 

But there are others, besides the natives of the soil, 
who are objects of our compassion, and proper sub- 
jects for charitable instruction. Some of them are 
now hungering for the bread, and thirsting for the wa- 
ters of life. To such the bible, the book of life, 
the charter of our Salvation, would be a treasure ; 
and the voice of him, who bringeth glad tidings, 
cheering and delightful to the soul. Surely our char- 
ity cannot be better bestowed, than by giving light 
and instruction to the ignorant, comfort and consola- 



31 

tion to the sorrowful, hope to the desponding, and 
Salvation to them, that are lost. 

As a Society, my brethren, a weight of responsibili- 
ty rests upon us. We are stewards of the christian's 
charity. We are the depository of light and Salvation 
for the poor. The spirits of our departed brethren,* 
whose counsel, prayers, and alms, for a long time, aid- 
ed the benevolent and pious purpose of this institution, 
seem to rise up before us, and admonish us to be faithful. 
Faithful to them, from whose liberality we receive the 
means of propagating the gospel. And faithful to 
our divine Master, who hath commanded us, saying, 

I HAVE SET THEE TO BE A LIGHT OF THE GeN- 
TILES, THAT THOU SHOULDEST BE TOR SaLVA- 
TION UNTO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. Let US 

listen to the admonition, that, when we rest from our 
labours, we may be prepared to join them in a better 

World, WHERE THEY THAT BE WISE SHALL SHINE 
AS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FIRM AMENT J AND 
THEY THAT HAVE TURNED MANY TO RIGHTEOUS- 
NESS, AS THE STARS FOREVER AND EVER. 

AMEN. 



* Hon. Francis Dana and Rev. Dr. Eckley died since the last 
anniversary. 



NOTES. 

Note A. 
St. Paul in the second chapter of his epistle to the Romans as 
well, as in other parts of his epistles, has authorized the belief, 
that the benefits of Christ's sacrifice will extend to those virtuous 
heathen, who have had no distinct knowledge of a Saviour. The 
reader is referred to this chapter, and to the observations and ar- 
guments of the learned and pious Dr. Macknight in his " View 
" and illustration of the reasoning" of the Apostle contained " in 
" this chapter." 

Note B. 

Dr. Buchanan, in his " Christian Researches in Asia," has giv- 
en a particular account of the temple of Juggernaut, and of the 
horrid superstition and delusion, that reign there. The multi- 
tudes, that resort thither to worship the idol, are almost without 
number. "Alack of people (100,000) would not be missed." 
Many of the pilgrims, through fatigue and privation, perish by the 
way. Others from infatuation sacrifice their own lives as part of 
this idolatrous worship. The flesh of the wretched victims, who 
lie unburied, is devoured by dogs and vultures, while the bones 
remain scattered over the plains. Our souls are shocked by the 
recital of this horrid ignorance and cruel superstition, and we are 
astonished at this corruption and degradation of human nature. 
But we ought to recollect, that " the Hindoos of Juggernaut have 
" as yet had no advantages of christian instruction." They have 
indeed been favoured with no revelation to teach them the charac- 
ter of the true God, and the worship he requires of his creatures. 
Even the light of nature seems to have been extinguished by the 
darkness that surrounds them. This cannot be said in apology for 
those Israelites, who, contrary to an express command of Jehovah, 
sacrificed their children to Moloch, and for their apostacy were 
visited with the righteous judgments of heaven.* They had been 

* Jeremiah rih 



33 

distinguished from the idolatrous nations around them by a spe- 
cial revelation, which taught them the nature and character of the 
true God, and commanded them to worship no other. Their crime, 
therefore, appears to be more aggravated, than that of the poor in- 
fatuated Hindoos. The righteous judgment of God, no doubt, 
will have respect to the condition and circumstances in which they 
are placed. According to the Apostle, Paul, there was a time, 
when the ignorance and idolatry of the Athenians God tvinked at. 
But after the gospel declared to them the true God, they were 
commanded to repent, to turn from their superstitions, and worship 
the God, who made heaven and earth.* And is there no worship- 
per at Juggernaut, to whom the same compassion may be extend- 
ed ? May not a merciful God wink at the ignorance and delusion 
of an Hindoo as well as that of an Athenian ? While we rejoice in 
the privileges and blessings, with which heaven has distinguished 
us, let us pray, that the Sun of Righteousness may soon rise upon 
this deluded people ; dispel the ignorance and darkness, that sur- 
round them, and give them the light of the knowledge of the glory 
of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

INote C. 
It is not a little surprising, that a nation, that has done so muck 
in order to convey the blessings of the gospel to the pagan world ; 
a nation, that has taken the lead in the Abolition of the African 
slave trade, and substituted an Institution for the express purpose 
of providing them with the blessings of civilization, and thus pre- 
paring the way for the better reception of the still greater blessings 
of the gospel, — it is not a little surprising to find her still drawing 
a portion of revenue from an idolatrous worship. Dr. Buchanan 
states this to be a fact, and says the British government in India 
increases its revenue by a tax levied upon the worshippers of Jug- 
gernaut. He believes, however, the fact is not known to its full 
extent by the government in England ; and that, whenever it is, 
measures will be immediately adopted to abolish the practice. 

D 

* Acts xrii. 60. 



34 

Note D. 
By an account taken in the year 1803, it appeared, that two 
hundred and seventy five females were sacrificed upon the Fune- 
ral Pile of their Husbands in one year within 30 miles of Calcutta. 
And by another report in 1804, that 115 females were sacrificed 
in the same manner, and within the same limits, in 6 months. At 
the time this discourse was delivered, contributions were collecting 
in Boston and in other cities in the United States for the purpose 
of aiding the translations of the holy scriptures into the Hindoo 
language, in order to put a stop to this cruel and barbarous prac- 
tice ; and teach these infatuated mourners to sorrow after a 
godly sort. 



APPENDIX 



INDIANS. 

Marshpee and Martha's Vineyard Indians. 

Althouh the charge of these Indians has devolved on the Corpora- 
tion of Harvard College, as stated in our last Journal ; yet whatever 
affects their religious character and interests claims the notice of 
the Society, which has formerly had them under its care. It is 
with much satisfaction that we are now able to report the settle- 
ment of a minister at Marshpee, as successor to that able and faith- 
ful missionary, Rev. Mr. Hawley, who died in 1807. 

The Rev. Phinehas Fish was ordained a missionary on the 
18th. of September last ; on which occasion the Rev. Dr. Kirk- 
land, President of Harvard College, delivered an appropriate 
sermon, and several neighbouring ministers performed the other 
publick services. " The plantation of Marshpee contains almost 
the only remaining vestiges of the native race of Massachusetts* 
It is an ancient and valuable location appropriated to the Indians, 
but its privileges are also extended to those in affinity with them. 
In addition to the patronage of the government, it has been favour- 
ed with a continued enjoyment of a regular ministry under men of 
eminent piety and worth. The first pastor of the place was the 
Rev. Richard Bourne, who gathered the church and was or- 
dained there in the year 1670. The celebrated Eliot, distin- 
guished for unwearied exertions in christianizing the Indians, as- 
sisted on the occasion. Mr. Bourne died in 1685. Simon Pop- 
manet, one of the natives, was his successor. After his death, the 
Rev. Joseph Bourne, son of the first minister of the plantation, 
was ordained therein 1729. He resigned his mission in 1742. 
The office was then supplied by Solomon Briant, one of the In- 
dians, who remained in that employment until the settlement of 
the Rev. Gideon Hawley, in 1768. Mr. Hawley continued in 
faithful adherence to this obscure but useful service, nearly half a 
century. He died October 3, 1807, aged eighty years. The 
proprietors of the plantation are much indebted to him for his min- 
isterial labours, and his well directed exertions for the secure es- 
tablishment of their civil interests. He faithfully pursued his 
course with honest animation, amidst many perplexities, which 
would have baffled common minds, but which his prudence and 
energy of character enabled him to surmount. — Mr. Hawley and 
his predecessors were supported principally from the funds of the 
Society in England for propagating the gospel, under the agency 
of their commissioners in Boston, The present missionary is set- 



36 

tied by the Corporation of Harvard College, as trustees of a fund, 
applicable to the purpose, given by the last will of the Rev. Dan- 
iel Williams, of London, in the early part of the last century. 
Mr. Fish has also in charge a small settlement of Indians at Her- 
ring Pond, between Plymouth and Sandwich. His establishment 
commences under favourable auspices, and we may cherish a fa- 
vourable hope, that the benevolent views of the liberal donor. Mr. 
Williams, and of those who have the management of his bequest, 
will be accomplished." 

Stockbridge Indians. 

The Society continues to maintain a mission amoDg these In- 
dians at JSTew Stockbridge. Nothing material appears to have 
occurred of late, if we except the expression of jealousies on the 
part of some of the tribe, in regard to their lauds ; a subject, which, 
so far as it is likely to affect the mission, will receive the attention 
of the Society. Mr. Sergeant, in addition to his salary, receives 
one hundred dollars for the maintenance of two Indian schools ; 
and thirty dollars have been applied, this year, to the purchase of 
books for the use of this mission. 

Narragansets. 

The Society reappointed the Rev. Mr. Coe to a mission of 
three months in Rhode Island, with particular reference to the 
relicks of these Indians, at Charlestown. The prepossessions of 
these people in favour of their own modes of Avorship, to the exclu- 
sion, or limited indulgence, of divine service by regularly ordained 
ministers, of such especially, as are even suspected of receiving 
compensation for their labours, and the vicious habits of the prin- 
cipal part of the adults, induced the missionary to " think the great- 
est prospect of good must be with the young." Accordingly, after 
giving previous notice of the design, he opened a school for their 
instruction on the eleventh of June last, to be kept five days in a 
week. From about ten to seventeen attended the school. Some of 
the Indians being apprehensive that they should lose the benefit de- 
signed for them by the Society, a meeting of the tribe was held on 
the first of July, the result of which was highly favorable to the in- 
terests of the mission. The missionaiy made a prayer, and gave a 
short scriptural illustration of some truths, pertaining to christian 
ministers, which arrested attention, and called forth some expres- 
sions of approbation. The major part of the Indians in town, it was 
said, were present ; and they unanimously manifested their desire 
that his instructions of their children might continue, and that he 
might oreach to them, when they were not supplied by themselves. 
The} also signed a petition, which had been previously signed by 
the Council, to that purpose. *' It was evident that they had the 



37 

greatest regard for the school. Some -white people wished to send 
their children ; but this meeting of the tribe uere unanimously 
against the admission of white children. They were willing that 
blacks, not of the tribe, should attend.'' 

July 8. " Of different colours, 23 came for instruction." The 
week following, " about 20 adults and children attended." The 
first week in August, "from about 18 to 24 attended, and the most 
constant made daily improvement." A fortnight after, "about 15 
or 1 6 generally attended." On the first Monday of September, 
" more than 30 attended, and some aged people of the tribe." At 
the close, the missionary delivered to them an address on Eccles. 
xii. 1 ; distributed what books were left on hand ; and took his 
leave of them. 

" Of the 13 Lord's days," says the Journal, "since my coming 
among the Indians, the ministry of the word has been attended 
with them so^nuch as there was any prospect of doing them good." 
The school was kept five days in the week; and 47 coloured peo- 
ple (of the tribe) attended at different times. Some whites also 
were taught^everal days. " Those, who most generally attended, 
were about one half of nearly adult age, and made good improve- 
ment. Some can read incorrectly in the JNew Testament ; others 
can read easy lessons ; a number can write ; and some have at- 
tended only a few days. Worship was attended daily, morning 
and evening. They were also every day taught the command- 
ments, and an easy catechism." 

The fond attachment of the church to its own modes, " and the 
indifference of others to all religion," render the prospect of good 
by preaching, at present, very small. It is therefore suggested by 
the missionary, " Whether it may not be proper to appoint a man 
of prayer, of suitable age, to teach a school, and instruct them in 
the doctrines and duties of our holy religion." 

In consideration of the giant of the Society for the purpose of 
building a school-house in Charlestown, for the Indians, the Rev. 
Mr. Tenney, Secretary of the Rhode Island Missionary Society, 
was authorized by that Society to go to Charlestown, and, taking 
the advice and aid of a judicious gentleman, to contract for build- 
ing the house. 

The Indians generally assembled, and a house of 1 8 feet by 22 
was engaged to be finished in a workmanlike manner, according to 
the opinion of either of two gentlemen named, by the 25th of June, 
1812. " Mr. Coe," Mr. Tenney observes in a letter to the Secre- 
tary, " has met a much more favourable reception this season than 
he did the last ; and many seemed very desirous that he should be 
continued longer. I was fully convinced, that he has been of very 
material service to the children and Indians generally." 

On the day when the missionary took leave of the Indians, Sep- 
tember 2, he received an address, expressing great satisfaction in 



38 

Kis labours, and great thankfulness to the Society, and an earnest 
desire that missonary aid may be continued to the tribe. 

The Secretary, passing through Charleston™ in September, had 
the satisfaction to hear a confirmation of these facts from General 
Staunton, Superintendant of the Indians, who has undertaken the 
erection of the school-house, and who gives assurance of its com- 
pletion by the time specified in the contract. The general lives 
near the Indian village, and appears to have the confidence of the 
tribe. In his hands the Secretary left several Bibles, which he 
carried from the Bible Society of Massachusetts ; one of vhich, a 
large handsome copy, he directed to the President of the Coun- 
cil, who can read ; and the rest to his care, to distribute among the 
tribe at his discretion. Here he had an interview with a preacher, 
who at present is their stated publick religious instructer. He is 
a mulatto man, not belonging to the tribe. He appeared intelli- 
gent and serious; but acknowledged that he could not read! He 
expressed, however, a strong desire to learn ; and said that, had 
Mr. Coe continued longer at Charlestown, he would gladly have 
learned to read of him. 

Penobscot s. 

Nothing new has occurred in regard to these Indians. The 
Rev. Mr. Jenks, who has lately visited them, by appointment of 
the Maine Missionary Society, observes, in a letter to the Secreta- 
ry, 22 November : " I found the Indians quite unprepared, as jet, 
for the special attention of the Society for propagating the gospel. 
They were somewhat jealous in respect to a school. I did not 
therefore think it prudent to propose it, in direct terms, to the 
Council. As my business was of an agricultural nature, at the 
ftrst visit I confined my views principally to the object contem- 
plated in my commission. I found Mr. Romagne very ready to 
cooperate in this. He accompanied me, and was pleased to serve, 
as an Interpreter." — One of the society's missionaries (Mr. Saw- 
yer) takes notice of these Indians in his Journal. " Attempted to 
prevail with the Penobscot Indians to go on to their lands, as they 
are convened [at Bangor] to receive their corn, &x. After they 
had received their corn, had an interview with them, and their 
agent, General Blake. Conversed with a number of their chiefs 
and others on the subject of settling upon their lands, and having 
a school for children, &x. The proposals appeared pleasing to 
them and their agent, beyond what was expected." 

Wyandots. 

The Society has contributed seventy four dollars, this year, to- 
ward the support of the mission at Sandusky. By a letter f rom 
Bev. Mr. Badger, the late missionary, to the Secretary, dated at 



39 

Ashtabula in May last, it appears, that the prospect of the success 
of 'hat mission is far less favourable than it was some time since. 
" The Western Missionary Board have given up the idea of fur- 
nishing preaching to the Indians. The Interpreter has left them." 
They have still, however, a school master for their children, " a 
christian character, and a licensed preacher of the presbyterian or- 
der.'' Mr. Badger encourages the expectation, that he will finish 
the History of the Mission, parts of which have already appeared 
in the pubiick Journals. " It is generally thought," he observes, 
" a most difficult matter to bring our Indian neighbours to adopt 
either civil or religious habits. Their habits of life and prejudices 
are deeply rooted ; and the reducing of rude, uncultivated minds 
to refinement must be the effect of patient perseverance. But the 
most serious and weighty obstacles, which are found in the way of 
this most interesting concern, spring from their intercourse with 
those, who consider themselves most civilized." 



DISTRICT OF MAINE. 

The Rev. David Smith, having been appointed in Nov. 1809, 
to a mission of four months in the vicinity of Temple, performed, 
that service the last year. During this mission 86 sermons were 
preached; 130 family visits made; 4 conferences attended, one 
church fast, and one council, " to regulate some church difficulties ;" 
the Lord's Supper was administered twice, and there were 6 bap- 
tisms. " There has been a very general attention to meeting," says 
the missionary, " in almost all the places that I visited. The 
people are in a a very destitute state in this region, in consequence 
of divisions and inability. There is not a settled minister within 
thirty miles, of our order." A committee, u by order of the church, 
and at the request of the Society," in Temple, have expressed a 
very grateful sense of the benefit they have received in the aid af- 
forded them by the Society, for the settlement of the gospel among 
them ; and solicited further assistance. Mr, Smith has according- 
ly been reappointed to a mission of three months, this year, at 
Temple and the vicinity. 

The Rev. Mr. Lovejoy performed, the last year, a mission of 
four months at Vassalborough and the vicinity. He preached 7 
sabbaths at Sedgwick, 1 at Unity, 2 at Fairfax, 1 at Clinton, and 
the remainder at Vassalborough. During the mission, he preach- 
ed for the Society 65 times, attended 4 meetings for prayer and re- 
ligious conversation., and catechised children 9 times. In the 
course of the last year 3 persons have been admitted to the 
communion of the church at Vassalborough, and 8 childreu bap^- 



40 

tized there, and 2 at Fairfax. " A few persons have been incor- 
porated at Vassalborough, and organized into a religious Society. 
They have voted to raise money in the same proportion for preach- 
ing, as heretofore they have raised by subscription." Mr. Love- 
joy has been appointed to a mission of three months, this year, 
in the same region, but with particular reference to Fairfield, 
which is judged to be " a more favourable stand at present than 
Sedgwick." 

The Rev. Mr. May performed a mission of three months, the 
last year, at Brownville and its vicinity. He preached 82 ser- 
mons, attended 2 funerals, one advisory council, one church meet- 
ing, visited a school twice, visited many families, beside the time 
expended in preparation for the sabbath. On the 1 6th of Septem- 
ber, Mr. May administered baptism to an infant child at Brown- 
ville ; which was the first administration of this ordinance in that 
township. At another time he visited a sick man, who " gladly 
received a Bible from the Society, being poor and destitute of an 
entire copy of the sacred oracles." " The success of the mission 
hitherto has been such as may commonly be supposed to be ob- 
tained where there is no special attention to religion. In Brown- 
ville," says Mr. May in his Journal, " I have generally counted 
from 20 to 50 hearers, and nearly the same number in the Sebec 
and Williamsburg settlement. The number of hearers however 
has been on the increase since I came among them, as is also the 
emigration into the townships. The sabbath is much less profaned 
by some ; it is more generally respected by the people at large 
than in times past. The minds of many are better furnished with 
religious truths which have a salutary influence upon the publick 
morals. On the whole, I see nothing to forbid the hope that the 
good which the Society aim at in supporting the mission may not be 
yet more fully obtained. It seems to be the order of heaven, that 
those who sow precious seed should oftentimes wait long for full 
returns." 

The Rev. Mr. Sawyer performed a mission of three months, at 
Lincoinston, Elkinston, and the vicinity. He commenced his 
missionary labours 13 October, 1810, and closed them in January 
folloAving. They appear to have been gratefully received. " The 
situation of the church and people in these infant plantations evi- 
dently calls for missionary aid. The Lord's supper, as appears by 
the missionary's Journal, had been administered but once " here in 
the wilderness." In January Mr. Sawyer, with the Rev. Mr. 
May of Brownville, and Rev. Mr. Blood of Buckston, formed a 
council, at the request of the church and people at Lincoinston, 
to advise to the best means to be adopted to have the gospel 
statedly preached among them. "The council exhibited their 



41 

advice in writing, and left these plantations, apparently much 
pleased with what they had witnessed in the church and people, 
and with the hopeful prospect of good to them. The situation of 
this littie church and these infant settlements," observes the mis- 
sionary, " in the centre between Penobscot and Kennebeck rivers, 
in a very fertile part of the country, appears very interesting, and 
I greatly rejoice that the Society has granted such timely and be- 
nevolent assistance." 

Mr. Samuel Sewall, of Bath, has performed a mission of six 
weeks, for the Society, in the vicinity of Pownal. He preached 
at Litchfield, at Bowdoin, at Hebron, at Waldoborough, at loland, 
and at Sumner. At Litchfield, " those who wish for congregation- 
al preaching have heretofore been very destitute." At Hebron 
there " is a small congregational church, in a very destitute, and, 
in some sense, a divided situation. They have a meeting house 
in building. I visited a school," says the missionary, " in 
a tolerable state of improvement, but veiy destitute of school 
books, especially Bibles and Psalters. Of these I presented 
them with a number from your bounty." In a part of Waldo- 
borough, called Dutch Neck, he preached to a large collection 
of persons, principally Germans. " They were very atten- 
tive, and desired him to come again. They appeared to under- 
stand very well, though there was but one man in that section of 
the to m, who was not a German, and no man ever preached there 
in the English language before him." Poland " is in a destitute, 
broken, divided situation." A few Psalters were left here for the 
use of schools. <fcc. In the whole period the missionary preached 
41 sermons, made about 5 7 family visits, attended 2 conferences, 
and visited 1 school and 2 sick persons. 

Mr. Ephraim Abbot began his missionary labours in Robbing- 
town. Calais, Denneysville, and several neighbouring townships, July 
9, 1 8 1 1 . In the above towns he was received very cordially. 
In <ome of the neighbouring townships Mr. A. found the state of 
religion and learning very low. They have no meetings, no 
schools, and it may almost be said no religious books. The moral 
and religious advantages of these people are apparently much less 
than those of the Indians in this neighbourhood. The Indians 
have a priest residing with them a considerable part of the year ; 
and when they have not a priest, they uniformly assemble at the 
regular seasons of devotion, and conduct their worship with great 
seriousness, decency, and solemnity. The Indians have frequent 
intercourse with civilized society, and many of them are honest, 
temperate, and chaste in their conversation. But the inhabitants 
of some of these townships are almost entirely excluded from the. 
sight of society. They have no regular seasons for religious wor- 
F. 



42 

ship. Children have been born here, and have grown almost to 
maturity, who cannot read a word in the Bible. That intemper- 
ance should prevail in such a state of society, we cannot wonder. 
The establishment of good schools would do much towards shedding 
light over this dark region. The inhabitants are poor, but are 
willing to do something, if aided by the Society ; and an offer has 
been made by an agent of the proprietors to build school-houses in 
two of the townships, if the Society will furnish books, and provide 
and in part support an instructer. 

Mr. Cook, preceptor of the academy in Fryeburg, preached 
fifteen sabbaths agreeably to his appointment, in Hiram, Lovel, 
Chatham (N. H.), Bartlett (N. II.), and Denmark, towns in the 
vicinity of Fryeburg. " Hiram contains fifty families. They have 
no place for publick worship. The meeting was in a poor school- 
house. About fifty people were present, who appeared devout and 
attentive." The missionary afterwards found a greater audience, 
in this place. Numbers Avere present from the adjacent towns. A 
third time he preached there " to a numerous assembly, who ap- 
peared devotional, and very grateful for the benefits bestowed on 
them." At Lovel Mr. Cook preached to an audience of at least 
one hundred people. The inhabitants of the town are, with few 
exceptions, congregationalists, and have a church regularly organ- 
ized." At Chatham he " preached in a private house to about 
thirty people. About thirty families, of different denominations, 
live in the town. To encourage this people to do something for 
themselves," the missionary " offered them a sabbath's additional 
preaching, provided they would have and support a good singing 
school one month ; which they agreed to." He afterward preach- 
ed here to " an audience of forty ; found the singing in a state of 
improvement, and a school for cultivating music, under the care of 
a capable, Avell informed master." At Bartlett he " preached to 
an audience of about two hundred people, who were attentive and 
devout." At Denmark he " had an audience of about fifty, men, 
women, and children, who were principally Baptists." He " met 
with a kind reception at the different places he visited," and had 
reason to believe that his labours were serviceable to the cause of 
Christ. " The schools," in the vicinity of this missionary, " are, in 
general, conducted on better principles" than they were formerly ; 
convenient houses for the purpose are building ; more regard is 
paid to the education and morals of the masters ; and the literary 
prospect is encouraging. " Considerable money is annually ex- 
pended for schools and the highways ; but that there should ex- 
ist a cold indifference in regard to the support of the gospel — that 
the spiritual welfare is so little thought of, is indeed a source of 
melancholy to the pious mind." 



43 

RHODE ISLAND. 

The mission of the Rev. Mr. Coe, this year, having been pecu 
liarly designed for the benefit of the Narraganset Indians, he per- 
formed but little service among the white inhabitants. He preach- 
ed, however, at Charlestown, to an audience of white people; in a 
school-house at Richmond, and at Mumford's Mills in the vicini- 
ty ; at South Kingston, and at Tower Hill in that town. He ex- 
pounded the scriptures ; gave religious counsel to individuals and 
families ; and distributed the Society's books. His account of the 
state of religion among the white inhabitants, in the region which 
he visited, gives an affecting confirmation of the preceding accounts 
in our Journals, and shows the extreme want of the labours of in- 
telligent, discreet, and pious missionaries. 

NEW YORK. 
The Rev. Mr. Oliver has performed a mission of two months 
in the north west part of this state. During his mission he travel- 
led upwards of 1100 miles ; preached 49 times ; baptized 2 chil- 
dren ; attended 4 conference meetings ; visited 5 sick persons ; 
attended 2 funerals ; at as moderator at 2 church meetings ; visited 
77 families; and distributed a large number of religious books. 
t; These books were gratefully received by poor people and chil- 
dren ; aud their thanks, by the missionary, are returned to the be- 
nevolent donors.* Many of these books are gone more than three 
hundred miles beyond the Genesee river, where moral instruction is 
very much wanted. For religious worship the people assembled as 
well as could be expected. They appeared to be grateful to the 
Society for granting them religious instruction, and return their 
thanks, with a desire for more missionary service. Should the Soci- 
ety wish to send missionaries into the State of New York, there is 
such an immense tract of missionary ground, that it is difficult to de- 
termine where it is best for them to be sent. After you pass the north 
river at Hudson, between the North and South Turnpikes, and 
south of the South Turnpike clear on to the Genesee river, and north 
of the North Turnpike completely on to said river, there is room for 
missionary services. And after you pass the Genesee river for 
300 miles west, people have moved on. But it is of importance that 
Societies should be supplied this side of the river ; for those be- 
yond will take their complexion from the conduct of well estab- 
lished Societies this way." 

The Society, at its annual meeting in May last, granted 25 
dollars to the Maine Missionary Society, for the encouragement of 
Mr. Chapin's settlement at Pownal ; 50 dollars to the Piscataqua 

* The principal donors were William Phillips, Esq. President of the 
Society, his Honor William Cray, Esq. Lieut. C.overnor, and Mr 
■Hesry Gray. 



44 

Missionary Society, for the benefit of the Isle of Shoals ; and 1 50 
dollars for books. The books have been purchased, and sent to 
the District of Maine for distribution. 

STATEMENT OF THE FUNDS. 
Amount of stock on interest, May, 1811 .... $23312,13 

Probable income . . . 1-493, h\ 

Donation of William Phillips, Esq. received 5th. Septem- 
ber, to be expended the current year . 500, 00 
Dona^on of Dqct. Holyoke of Salem ". . 10, 00 

IC7* Included in this amount is the sum of $8861, 56. the do- 
nation of John Alford, Esq. The interest of which, being 
S567, 50, is appropriated to the use of the Indians exclusively. 

Cash on hand, $152, 70 

MISSIONARIES FOR A.D. 1811. 
Missionaries. Places of Abode. Locations. Months. 
Rev. Hezekiah May Brovnville, Vicinity of Brovnville 3 
David Smith, Temple, Temple and Vicinity 3 

T?A j ^, . T . . , i Woodstock and vicini- 

Edmund Eastman, Limerick, < , c . T , , . -, 

( ty, on St. John & river 1 

Daniel Lovejoy, Vassalboro' Vassalboro' and vicinity 3 

Mr. Ephraim Abbot, Andover, Robbinston and vicinity 2 

Mr. Samuel Sewall, Bath, Vicinity of Po^vnal 3 

Rev. Curtis Coe, JNewmarket, jSTarraganset 3 

John Sergeant, N. Stockb. N. Stockbridge Indians 12 

OFFICERS ELECTED MAY 1811. 

William Phillips, Esq. President. 

Rev. John Lat£rop, D. D. Vice President. 

Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D. Secretary. 

Rev. William E. Channing-, Assistant Secretary. 

Mr. Samuel H. Wallet, Treasurer. 

Rev. John Eliot, D. D. Vice Treasurer. 

Select Committee. 

Samuel Salisbury, Esq. Hon Dudley A. Tyng, Hon. John Davis. 
Rev. Jedidiah Morse, D. D. Rev. John Eliot, D. D. with the Presi- 
dent, Secretary, and Treasurer. 

FORM OF BEQUEST OR LEGACY. 

Item. I give and bequeath the sum of to the Society for Propa- 

gating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America; to be 
applied either to the general objects of the Institution, or to such particular 
purposes, consistent with those, objects, as the donor may think proper. 















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